DS2312B Spiritual Formation for Life and Ministry

Description

The unit explores spiritual formation through the lens of our shared humanity and connectedness to all creation. Beginning with a biblical perspective it posits humility as an essential starting point for spiritual development and focuses on practices and postures that enable growth in Christlikeness. It gives attention to holistic development, explores personal vocation, and offers tools for building individual and shared capacity for healthy life and ministry. Students will be able to reflect on their own history of formation, identify where they currently find themselves and plan intentionally for future growth. Classical spiritual disciplines as well as alternative modes of spiritual engagement will be offered. 

Level

Undergraduate Level 2

Semester

Semester 2 2027

Delivery Mode

Online

Dates

26 July - 29 October 2027

A weekly virtual classroom session will take place on Wednesdays at 12.00 to 1.00 pm AEST/AEDT 

We recommend that you allocate 12 hours a week for all study activities. 

Lecturer/s 

Major Dr Christine Faragher 

Prerequisites 

36 points from two different fields. 

Learning Activities 

In an asynchronous environment students will engage with carefully designed learning materials which may include readings, audio and video materials, a variety of learning activities, response to questions, and refection upon practice. They will also attend structured synchronous online engagement sessions which will promote peer to peer engagement and learning. 

* This unit is offered at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Students may engage with people across both levels when this unit is delivered. 

Assessments 

Assessment 1 – 30%
Assessment 2 – 30%
Assessment 3 – 40% 

Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Examine spiritual formation in a biblical framework. 
2. Describe and interpret their own spiritual and developmental journey as a personal history of spiritual formation. 
3. Explore and evaluate personal experiences of engagement with a range of spiritual disciplines as postures for transformation. 
4. Articulate the relationship between personal identity, vocation and ministry. 

Text Books 

To undertake this unit, you are required to have access to a copy of:  

Marjorie J. Thompson, Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, Newly Revised Edition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.